First off do not follow this map, it is not an actual trail. You have two options: Option 1 - follow the fire road and take a right onto Simons Graveyard trail, follow it until you come up to a T and go left and follow the Blue markers until the top; Option 2 - stay on the fire road until you come up to the Pink markers on the right and follow that until you come to a T then go left and follow the Blue markers. Trail is not Easy it is more in line with Moderate/Hard. Rough estimate for both trails is Blue out and back is 7.6 miles, Pink out and back is 7.4 miles. Hope this helps everyone and the trail really needs re-mapped so people know what they are in for.

Mountain Laurel was in full bloom on Memorial Day weekend in 2018, surrounding and papering the well groomed trail surface. We clocked the distance for a bit under 9-miles and passed through or over mountain spurs to the peak. There were no other hikers on the Kennedy part of the trail (about 7 miles) on a holiday weekend. The view at the peak was excellent when we were there.

Parking is good and the trail (actually a circuit) is well marked by orange, yellow (or tan?) and brown blazes. There is camping at several locations.

Nice hike. It is a well maintained trail. Fair amount of horse droppings along the lower trail. Even after reading the previous reviews, I missed the turn down from the upper trail. The turn is marked with white survey tape on a branch and the trail markers Change from orange to yellow. I recommend using the apps gps function for this transition. Enjoy the views.

Completed this 9 mile loop clockwise in 4 hours, beginning from the lower parking lot. Both trails (yellow and orange) were marked clearly. As to the confusing spur trail below Kennedy Peak some have complained about, it had been blocked off with rocks and branches. One complaint I had was the constant presence of mosquitoes even in late September.

I liked the trail quite a bit. For a person in his 60s whose knees are not what they used to be, it's still a great walk. Just have some sticks ready to help with balance if you're as flat footed as I am. We saw two people in two hours so I'd say that's pretty light traffic.

Nice hike! Trail is well taken care of. Not too busy. Contrary to what the description says there are no views on this particular hike. We ended up going about a half a mile past few turn around making it a little over 5 miles long and we started to see views there.

Yikes-- the beginning of the hike was great, nice wide path and well shaded on a hot day. But there is a VERY important hard left switchback about 2 miles in - just when you're getting close to the tower that is not marked. So we pressed on straight following the trail (clearly others have done this because there is a clear trail for about 1/4 mile). Our mistake was to not turn around and go back, but this turned into quite a treacherous and scary morning. After a hot 2 hour detour we made it back to the trail, with our dog and 6 month old. What was supposed to be an easy family hike turned into a nightmare. While I get we were at fault for not turning around, this and all future instances of this could be avoided by putting an arrow on a tree or a rock or a sign or SOMETHING to let people know to take a hard left. Maybe someday we'll come back to actually make it to the tower but definitely not anytime soon.

This seems to b the same as Tuscarora trail starting at Elizabeth's Furnace trail entry. We used the app to find the trail from Elizabeth's furnace and walked about half of it the first time out. Beautiful streams, some rocky areas, peaceful. Could be fairly wet/muddy if you go after a rain.

Great hike, it wasn't crowded which was nice. I saw a black bear on the second part of the hike as the trail began to climb the peak. It was above me on the hillside off the trail. I heard him first walking through woods, then I saw him looking down at me as I came around a bend. I clapped loudly whistled and kept on going walking away from him making much more noise as I went. Luckily the bear did not follow! The 360 view from the top was beautiful. On the way back I didn't have anymore bear encounters.

Kennedy Peak is a fun, ridge-top, day hike. We did it with our dogs and our active 6-year-old, and he had no problem although he was very tired by the end. We went on the second weekend in October, and the foliage was still mostly green. Would be fantastic in a few weeks. Since it's not on Skyline Drive, it is not crowded, and yet still offers wonderful views of the Shenandoah River and the mountains. The description is inaccurate--this hike is 5 miles, not 4. The first half of the hike is lower on the mountain, and follows a wide path through the woods. The second half is much rockier and the path winds its way around the mountain, connecting to Steven's trail and finally reaching a somewhat rickety fire tower at the top. People who want to cut the trip short can turn around when the path meets Steven's trail, as you get almost the same view at the top.

Great hike with a nice payoff. The peak includes an old fire tower with 360 vies of Luray, Shenandoah and points west.

This can be done as an easy out and back hike. Two miles out. I've done this numerous times as a follow up to moderate or longer hikes.

The trail can also be done in combination with the Stephen's Trail as a loop. After you follow the white blaze back down from the peak, continue straight and follow the Massanutten for about a mile or so. You'll reach trail markers for Stephen's Trail. Veer left and follow the yellow blaze. This portion is mostly down hill. This is a moderate, gradual decline. You'll reach the parking for the trail at the bottom. Closer to the entrance, veer left and you'll catch the orange blaze for the Massanutten back up to the US675 lot.

I did the loop this time and took a break at the fire tower for lunch. I actually did the loop clockwise.

There weren't too many folks on the trail. I passed a few trail runners on the way up Stephen's Trail. There were a few folks at the tower. But other than that, I had the trail to myself.

Did this as a loop trail with Strickler and Duncan Knob. Parked the car at Scotch Horn Gap and took the trail up to Strickler then followed the Massanutten Trail towards Duncan then back down to Chrisman Hollow. Pretty much had the trail to myself. When I got to Chrisman Hollow lots of trail runners where just ending their runs.